Interview with Rona Berg: Editor, Organic Spa Magazine

Camille Hoheb of Wellness Tourism Worldwide interviewers Organic Spa Magazine's Editor, Rona Berg, to talk about spa wisdom, wellness travel and trends in well-being, beauty and eco-conscious brands.

How would you describe the magazine - more wellness than spa, more spa than wellness? equally integrated - more focus on the organic?
We love spas, and we cover spas. But what we are really about is sharing information, inspiration and news about spa wisdom and sustainable lifestyle, including wellness, food and travel, style, natural and organic beauty, health and fitness. Everything we cover features a local, artisanal, natural, organic, sustainable, eco-friendly or wellness angle.

What is "spa wisdom"? Spa wisdom is the best of what we all can learn from spas: the intel on how to relax, refresh, rejuvenate and live a healthier lifestyle. It is a spotlight on the small takeaways from spas that inspire us to take better care of ourselves and love ourselves, so that we can get more out of our own lives and give back to the people around us. 

What do you see as some of  the biggest trends this year?

• Wellness Tourism is a huge trend and growing, with no end in sight at independent retreats and luxury spa brands like the Four Seasons and Montage. 
• Fortified & Functional Food: Global Industry Analysts Inc. projects that sales of functional food and drink will exceed $130 billion by 2016, with new nutrient-fortified launches like tea-infused chocolate, quinoa and faro snack squares, fermented herbal tea, manuka honey and more.
• Organic Fast Food: McDonald's is launching the Mc B, an antibiotic-free, hormone-free, USDA-certified organic hamburger. And Amy's Kitchen, the organic frozen food giant, just opened a Drive Thru! 
• Anti-Pollution Creams and Cosmetics With climate change regs on the front burner with global leaders, we're seeing the beauty industry respond with pollution-busting botanical products. Like a dingy building, skin exposed to pollutants can become lackluster and overlaid with gray. There is  a rise in Brazilian botanicals beyond acai, to new rainforest exotics like andiroba, cavlinha, cupuacu, murmuru, passion fruit (maracuja).
• H20 Alternatives! Beyond lemon and cucumber slices, and infusions of wild berries in our water bottles, look out for the new water alternatives: cactus water/prickly pear (revitalize, hydrate, reduce inflammation), watermelon (for workouts: electrolytes, vitamin C, lycopene), maple water (vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, polyphenols, manganese), artichoke & birch